[0001] The invention relates to a bone anchoring device, in particular to a monoplanar bone
anchoring device with selectable pivot plane. The bone anchoring device comprises
a receiving part for receiving a rod, an anchoring element having a first end for
insertion into the bone or into a vertebra and a second end including a head, wherein
the anchoring element is movable relative to the receiving part in a limited angular
range about the longitudinal axis, the angular range lying in a single plane. The
bone anchoring device further comprises a guiding member configured to rotate in the
receiving part, wherein a form-fit connection between the guiding member and the anchoring
element limits the movement of the anchoring element to the single plane and wherein
the single plane can be selected by rotating the guiding member. The orientation of
the pivot plane is fixed by a first locking element that acts onto the guiding member
and the angular position of the bone anchoring element is locked by a second locking
element that also fixes the rod.
[0002] US 7,749,258 B2 describes a bone anchoring device including a receiving part for receiving a rod
and an anchoring element being movable relative to the receiving part in a limited
angular range about the longitudinal axis of the receiving part, wherein the angles
are lying in a single plane.
[0003] US 7,951,172 B2 describes a bone screw assembly including an anchor portion and a head portion, such
as a rod-receiving portion, movably mounted to the anchor portion to allow for controlled
angulation between the anchor portion and the head portion. The anchor portion is
pivotable in one or more selected direction about an axis relative to the head portion.
A restriction member prevents the anchor portion from pivoting in one or more different
direction about another axis relative to the head portion and/or a spinal fixation
element received in the head portion. The restriction member may also serve as a compression
member and/or rod seat for seating a spinal rod coupled to the bone screw assembly.
[0004] The bone anchoring devices described above all have one or more defined positions
relative to the rod in which the shank can be pivoted in a single plane.
[0005] US 7,766,944 B2 describes an anchoring element for fastening a rod of a device for adjusting a human
vertebral column on a vertebra and having a retainer for receiving the rod, a securing
element attachable on the retainer and acting against the rod, a fastening element
for attachment to the vertebral body and a clamping device between the retainer and
the fastening element including a ring-shaped mount, a partially spherical bearing
and an intermediate element embedded in the mount and surrounding the bearing. The
bearing comprises level guiding surfaces on opposite sides. The intermediate element
has mating counter surfaces which enable the retainer to move in one axial direction
only relative to the fastening element.
[0006] It is an object of the invention to provide an improved bone anchoring device that
has an increased variety of applications and that provides for a comfortable handling.
[0007] The object is solved by a bone anchoring device according to claim 1. Further developments
are given in the dependent claims.
[0008] With the bone anchoring device, the position of the single pivot plane can be selected
in a range of 360° around the longitudinal axis. Therefore, it can be selected, whether
the single plane contains the rod axis or is, for example, perpendicular to the rod
axis or includes any other specific angle with the rod axis. The plane is adjustable
by rotating the receiving part with respect to the bone screw. Once the pivot plane
has been fixed, the bone anchoring element can pivot relative to the receiving part
in that plane only.
[0009] The guiding member and the bone anchoring element can be locked independently.
[0010] In a specific embodiment, the pivot angle of the bone anchoring element in the selected
pivot plane is enlarged to one side compared to the other side with respect to the
longitudinal axis of the receiving part. This renders the bone anchoring device particularly
suitable for the application of lateral mass fixation, for example, for the cervical
spine.
[0011] Further features and advantages will become apparent from the description of embodiments
by means of the accompanying drawings.
[0012] In the drawings:
- Fig. 1:
- shows a perspective exploded view of the bone anchoring device according to a first
embodiment.
- Fig. 2:
- shows a perspective view of the bone anchoring device of Fig. 1 in an assembled state.
- Fig. 3:
- shows a cross-sectional view of the bone anchoring device of Fig. 2, the cross-section
taken perpendicular to the rod axis.
- Fig. 4:
- shows a cross-sectional view of the receiving part of the bone anchoring device according
to the first embodiment, the cross-section taken perpendicular to a longitudinal axis
of a channel for receiving the rod.
- Fig. 5:
- shows a side view of the bone anchoring element.
- Fig. 6:
- shows a top view of the bone anchoring element.
- Fig. 7:
- shows a perspective view of an guiding member connectable to the bone anchoring element.
- Fig. 8:
- shows a top view of the guiding member.
- Fig. 9:
- shows a cross-sectional view of the guiding member, the section taken along line A-A
in Fig. 8.
- Fig. 10:
- shows a perspective view of the pressure member of the bone anchoring device.
- Fig. 11:
- shows another perspective view of the pressure member.
- Fig. 12:
- shows a top view of the pressure member.
- Fig. 13:
- shows a cross-sectional view of the pressure member, the cross-section taken along
line B-B in Fig. 12.
- Fig. 14:
- shows a perspective view of a bone anchoring element with a modified guiding member.
- Fig. 15:
- shows a perspective view of the modified guiding member.
- Fig. 16:
- shows a perspective exploded view of a bone anchoring element and another modified
guiding member.
- Fig. 17:
- shows a cross-sectional view of the guiding member shown in Fig. 16, the cross-section
taken along the central axis.
- Fig. 18:
- shows a perspective exploded view of a second embodiment of the bone anchoring device.
- Fig. 19:
- shows a perspective view of the second embodiment of the bone anchoring device.
- Fig. 20:
- shows a cross-sectional view of the bone anchoring device according to the second
embodiment, wherein the cross-section has been taken perpendicular to the rod axis.
- Fig. 21:
- shows a perspective exploded view of a bone anchoring device according to a third
embodiment.
- Fig. 22:
- shows a perspective view of the bone anchoring device of Fig. 21 in an assembled state.
- Fig. 23:
- shows a perspective view of a seat member of the bone anchoring device of Fig. 21.
- Fig. 24:
- shows a cross-section view of the seat member of Fig. 23, the cross-section taken
along line C-C in Fig. 23.
- Fig. 25:
- shows a cross-sectional view of the bone anchoring device according to Fig. 22, the
cross-section taken perpendicular to the rod axis.
- Fig. 26:
- shows a cross-sectional view of the bone anchoring device of Fig. 22, the cross-section
taken along the rod axis.
- Fig. 27:
- shows a cross-sectional view of a step of mounting the rod to the bone anchoring device,
the cross-section taken perpendicular to the rod axis.
- Fig. 28:
- shows a perspective view of the step of mounting the rod shown in Fig. 27.
- Fig. 29:
- shows a cross-sectional view of a step of locking the pivot plane of the bone anchoring
device of the third embodiment, the cross-section taken perpendicular to the rod axis.
- Fig. 30:
- shows a perspective view of the step of locking the pivot plane in Fig. 29.
[0013] As shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the bone anchoring device according to a first embodiment
includes a bone anchoring element 1 in the form of bone screw having a shank 2 with
a threaded portion and a head 3. The head 3 is guided in a guiding member 4 provided
in a receiving part 5. The receiving part 5 couples the bone anchoring element to
a stabilization rod 7. A pressure member 6 is arranged between the guiding member
4 and the rod 7. Furthermore, a locking device 10 comprising a first locking element
8 for fixing the guiding member 4 and a second locking element 9 for securing and
fixing the rod 7 and for locking the head 3 is provided.
[0014] As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the head 3 of the bone anchoring element is shaped substantially
as a segment of a sphere including a largest diameter of the sphere, the segment being
oriented with its rotational axis perpendicular to the shank axis S. Hence, it comprises
two opposite flat surfaces 3a, 3b that extend substantially parallel to each other
and parallel to the shank axis S and a spherical portion 3c.
[0015] As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the receiving part 5 has a first end 5a and an opposite
second end 5b. A first bore 51 extends from the first end 5a to a distance from the
second end 5b. The first bore 51 defines an axis of symmetry C extending through the
first end 5a and the second end 5b. At the second end 5b, there is a second bore 52
with a diameter smaller than the diameter of the first bore 51. The second bore 52
is in communication with the first bore 51. Adjacent to the first end 5a a substantially
U-shaped recess 53 is provided that forms a channel for receiving the rod 7. By means
of the recess 53, two free legs are formed that are provided with an internal thread
54 cooperating with the first locking element 8. The receiving part 5 as shown in
the depicted embodiment serves as receiving part for a longhead bone anchoring device
that has extended legs and comprises at a distance from the first end a predetermined
breaking point 55 that permits to break off the portion between the first end and
the predetermined breaking point 55. Such a longhead receiving part may be used, for
example, for minimally invasive surgery. It shall be noted, that the receiving part
5 may also be designed without the longhead, the first end 5a then being at approximately
the predetermined breaking point 55.
[0016] As depicted in Figs. 3 and 7 to 9, the guiding member 4 is a substantially cylindrical
part that has an outer diameter permitting it to be introduced into the first bore
and resting at the transition between the first bore 51 and the second bore 52, as
shown in Fig. 2. The guiding member 4 comprises a first end 4a and an opposite second
end 4b and a substantially rectangular recess 41 extending through the guiding member
form the first end 4a to the second end 4b. The recess 41 has long side walls 41a,
41b with a length that substantially corresponds to or is slightly larger than the
diameter of the spherical section of the head 3. The short side walls 41 c, 4 1 d
have a width that substantially corresponding or is slightly larger than the thickness
of the head 3 between the opposite flat surfaces 3a, 3b. Hence, the head 3 fits into
the recess 41. When the head is inserted in the recess, the long sidewalls of the
recess extend along the flat surfaces of the head. At substantially the center of
the long side walls 41 a, 4b two opposite cylindrical or curved recesses 42a, 42b
are provided that extend in axial direction of the cylindrical guiding member 4 so
that there is a space between the head 3 and the guiding member 4 when the head 3
is inserted. This permits engagement with a tool engaging the flat surfaces 3a, 3b
of the head 3 to rotate the bone anchoring element 1.
[0017] As shown in Fig. 3, the height of the guiding member 4 is such that when the head
3 is inserted, a portion of the head 3 projects out of the first end 4a of the guiding
member 4.
[0018] Referring to Figs. 10 to 13, the pressure member 6 is a substantially cylindrical
part having a first end 6a and an opposite second end 6b. The size of the pressure
member 6 is such that the pressure member 6 can be inserted into the receiving part
5 and moved therein in axial direction. The first end 6a faces the first end 5a of
the receiving part and the second end 6b faces the guiding member 4. Adjacent the
first end 6a, a substantially U-shaped recess 61 is provided that has a depth such
that the first end 6a ends at a position above the rod surface, when the rod 7 rests
on the bottom of the recess 61. The first end 6a has a bevelled surface with an inclination
such that the height of the pressure member is slightly decreasing towards the outer
circumference, as can be seen in Figs. 3 and 13. A through-hole 62 extends from the
bottom of the recess 61 to the second end 6b. The diameter of the through-hole 62
is smaller than the diameter of the rod. In addition, as can be seen in particular
in Figs. 12 and 13, a substantially rectangular recess 63 with two opposite sides
63a, 63b, that are curved outwards, is provided at the bottom of the U-shaped recess
61 with the long sides of the rectangle oriented along the rod axis. The length of
the substantially rectangular recess 63 is greater than the diameter of the through-hole
62. By means of this, a portion of the rod 7 can extend into the recess 63. At the
second end 6b, a hole 65 is provided that permits a portion of the head 3 to extend
into the hole 65, when the bone anchoring device is assembled, as depicted in Fig.
3. As a result, the rod 7 presses with its lower side directly onto the head 3. The
pressure member 6 acts with its second end 6b directly onto the guiding member 4 without
touching the head 3 of the bone anchoring element.
[0019] The pressure member 6 further comprises a coaxial recess 64 at the first end 6a that
has a diameter greater than the diameter of the second locking element 9.
[0020] Referring to Figs. 1 to 3, the locking device will be described. The first locking
element 8 of the locking device 10 is a screw with a first end 8a and an opposite
second end 8b with an external thread cooperating with the internal thread 54 on the
receiving part. The thread may have a thread form to prevent splaying of the legs
formed by the channel in the receiving part 5. Such a thread form may be, for example,
a flat thread, as depicted in Fig. 3. At the first end 8a, there may be an engagement
structure for engagement with a screwdriver. The second end 8b of the first locking
element may be bevelled corresponding to the bevelled portion of the first end 6a
of the pressure member 6 as depicted in Fig. 3. The first locking element 8 further
comprises a threaded through-hole 81 for receiving the second locking element 9. The
thread form may be any thread form, for a example a metric thread. The second locking
element 9 is shown as a set screw having a first end 9a and a second end 9b. The second
end 9b is configured to act onto the rod 9. The size of the locking device 10 is such
that when the first locking element 8 and the second locking element 9 are tightened,
the first locking element 8 and the second locking element 9 do not substantially
project over the predetermined breaking point 55 of the receiving part 5.
[0021] In the assembled state as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the first locking element 8 is
configured to act onto the pressure member 6 only. The pressure member 6 is configured
to act onto the guiding member 4 only. The second locking element 9 extends with its
second end 9b into the coaxial recess 64 provided at the pressure member 6. By means
of this, the second locking element 9 is not in contact with the pressure member 6.
[0022] In the assembled state, the pressure member 6 is arranged in an aligned position,
in which the substantially U-shaped recess 61 is aligned with the substantially U-shaped
recess 53 of the receiving part. The pressure member 6 may be held provisionally in
this position, for example, by crimping.
[0023] The bone anchoring device as a whole or in parts is made of a bio-compatible material,
such as a bio-compatible metal, for example titanium, stainless steel, a bio-compatible
alloy, such as Nitinol, or of bio-compatible plastic materials, such as, for example,
polyetheretherketone (PEEK).
[0024] In use, the bone anchoring device may be pre-assembled, such that the bone anchoring
element 1 with the guiding member 4 is held in the receiving part 5 and the pressure
member 6 is inserted and aligned. The bone anchoring element is then screwed into
the bone or in a vertebra by engaging the flat surfaces 3a, 3b of the head with a
tool. Because the head 3 is connected to the guiding member 4 in a form-fit manner,
the guiding member 4 rotates during the screwing-in operation. By rotating the guiding
member 4,the plane, in which the bone anchoring element can pivot relative to the
receiving part, is defined. The position of the guiding member 4 relative to the receiving
part 5 that defines the pivot plane, can be maintained, if the pressure member 6 is
held in a preliminary position by means of crimping so that the pressure member can
exert a biasing force onto the guiding member 4 that holds the relative position between
the receiving part 5 and the guiding member 4.
[0025] After at least two bone anchoring devices are inserted into bone parts or adjacent
vertebrae, the receiving parts 5 are pivoted in the single plane defined by the position
of the guiding member 4, so that they are aligned to permit the insertion of the rod
7. Thereafter, the locking device 10 is inserted. By tightening the first locking
element 8, pressure is exerted onto the first end 6a of the pressure member and with
the pressure member 6 onto the guiding member 4. By means of this, the pivot plane
for the bone anchoring element 1 is fixed. Then, the second locking element 9 is tightened
until its second end 9b presses onto the rod 7, which in turn presses onto the head
3 as shown in Fig. 3 until the angular position of the bone anchoring element 1 in
the pivot plane is locked. By loosening the second locking element further adjustments
of the rod and of the angular position of the bone anchoring element in the pivot
plane can be made, while the orientation of the pivot plane remains fixed.
[0026] Further modifications are conceivable. For example, as shown in Figs. 14 and 15,
the single pivot plane may be defined by cooperation of a head 3' that has a spherical
portion 3d and central cylindrical portion (not shown) with the cylinder axis perpendicular
to the screw axis. The head 3' cooperates with a guiding member 4' that has a corresponding
spherical portion 43 and a corresponding cylindrical portion 44 and a recess 4a' for
passing through a portion of the head 3'.
[0027] In a further modification shown in Figs. 16 and 17, the head 3" has two opposite
flat surfaces 3a', 3b' that are smaller than in the first embodiment. The guiding
member 4" is a substantially cylindrical ring with two bores 45a, 45b that are on
opposite sides of the ring for receiving pins 46. Inside the ring has a substantially
dome-shaped surface 47 with a central hole 48.When the pins 46 are inserted into the
bores 45a, 45b, respectively, they limit the rotation of the screw head 3" within
the guiding member 4" so that the bone anchoring element can pivot only in one single
plane.
[0028] Figs. 18 to 20 show a second embodiment of the bone anchoring device. It differs
from the bone anchoring device according to the first embodiment only in the design
of the receiving part. All other parts and portions are the same and the description
thereof will not be repeated. The bone anchoring device has a preferential orientation
for the pivot plane.
[0029] The receiving part 5' has at its second end 5b a countersunk area 56, that allows
the bone anchoring element 1 to be pivoted at a larger angle, when the pivot plane
is oriented such that it extends through the countersunk area 56. Hence, the second
end 5b forms an edge bounding the second bore 52 that is asymmetric in the single
pivot plane. As shown in Fig. 20, when the bone anchoring element is pivoted into
the countersunk area 56, the maximum pivot angle is larger than in a direction opposite
to countersunk area 56.
[0030] The bone anchoring device according to the second embodiment can be used as bone
anchoring device without an enlarged pivot angle at a specific location, when the
rectangular recess 41 of the guiding member 4 is not aligned with the countersunk
area 56. It can be also used as bone anchoring device with an enlarged pivot angle,
when the pivot plane is aligned with the countersunk area 56.
[0031] The bone anchoring device according to the second embodiment may also be modified.
For example, the bone anchoring element and the guiding member may be designed as
the bone anchoring element and the guiding member according to Figs. 14 to 17.
[0032] With reference to Figs. 21 and 22, a third embodiment of the bone anchoring device
will be described. The bone anchoring device according to the third embodiment differs
from the bone anchoring device according to the first embodiment by the guiding member
and by an additional seat member. All other parts are the same as in the first embodiment
and the description thereof shall not be repeated. The guiding member 400 according
to the third embodiment is substantially identical to the guiding member 4, however,
has a smaller height in axial direction.
[0033] A seat member 140 is provided that has a first end 140a and a second end 140b and
a substantially hollow cylindrical portion 141 adjacent the first end 140a. The hollow
cylindrical portion 141 has an outer diameter that is only slightly smaller than the
inner diameter of the first bore, so that the first portion 141 may rest at a transition
between the first bore 51 and the second bore 52. The inner diameter of the first
portion is smaller than the largest diameter of the head 3. The seat member 140 further
comprises a second portion 142 that has a substantially spherical inner surface 143
for providing a seat for the head 3. The outer surface also is spherical, but can
also have another shape. The size of the second portion is such that the second portion
143 can extend at least partially through the second bore 52. As depicted in Figs.
23 and 24, the second portion 142 has an inclined lower edge forming the second end
140b that is inclined relative to the plane defined by the second end 5b of the receiving
part 5. When the seat member 140 is inserted into the receiving part, the second end
140b forms an edge that bounds the second bore 52. The opening defined by the inclined
lower edge has a diameter smaller than the diameter of the head 3 and larger than
the diameter of the shank 2. At a position closest to the first portion 141 there
is a recess 144 in the area of the edge that is shaped corresponding to the spherical
portion of the head 3. The head 3 thus can extend into the recess 144 to further enlarge
the maximum pivot angle. The recess 144 of the seat member also provides a form-fit
connection to the head 3.
[0034] When the seat member 140 is inserted into the receiving part, the second portion
142 extends through the second bore 52. When the bone anchoring element 1 is held
in the seat member 140 is coupled to the guiding member 400, the seat member 140 and
the guiding member 400 are rotatable together with the bone anchoring element 1 with
respect to the receiving part 5. The seat member 140 defines an edge bounding the
second bore 52 that is asymmetric to permit the bone anchoring element to pivot at
a larger angle at the first location, where the recess 144 is located, than at another
location of the edge relative to the longitudinal axis C as shown in Fig. 25. As depicted
in Fig. 26, due to the flat surfaces 3a, 3b of the head 3, the bone anchoring element
is allowed to pivot only in a single plane. The single plane can be selected by rotating
the bone anchoring element, the guiding member 400 and the seat member 140 together
with respect to the receiving part 5.
[0035] Steps of use of the bone anchoring device according to the third embodiment are shown
in Figs. 27 to 30. As shown in Figs. 27 and 28, the orientation of the single pivot
plane is selected when the bone anchoring element has been inserted into the bone
and the rod 7 is not yet inserted, by rotating the anchoring element with the guiding
member 400 and the seat member. Then, as shown in Figs. 29 and 30, after insertion
of the rod, the first locking element 8 is tightened and acts onto the pressure member
6, which in turn acts onto the guiding member 400 and the seat member 140 to fix the
single pivot plane. The bone anchoring element can then pivot in the single plane
with a larger maximum pivot angle to one side that comprises the recess 144 compared
to the other side. By tightening the second locking element 9, the head 3 and the
whole assembly is locked.
[0036] Modifications are possible also for the third embodiment. The design of the screw
head and the guiding member can be modified like in the examples shown in Figs. 14
to 17. Any connection between the head of the bone anchoring element and the guiding
member, that limits pivoting of the bone anchoring element to a single plane, can
be possible. In particular, the limitation can be achieved by a form-fit connection
between the head and the guiding member.
[0037] The pressure member 6 can be omitted. Instead of the pressure member, the locking
device has to be modified to act directly onto the guiding member.
[0038] The screw head may have an additional engagement structure for engagement with a
tool.
[0039] The selection of the orientation of the pivot plane can be made before inserting
the screw using a specific tool.
1. Bone anchoring device including
a receiving part (5, 5') for receiving a rod (7), the receiving part having a longitudinal
axis (C), a first bore (51) coaxial with the longitudinal axis and a second bore (52);
an anchoring element (1) having a first end (2) for insertion into the bone and a
second end positionable within the second bore, the second end including a head (3,
3', 3 ");
the anchoring element (1) being movable relative to the receiving part (5, 5') in
a limited angular range about the longitudinal axis, the angular range lying in a
single plane;
an guiding member (4, 4', 4", 400) configured to rotate in the first bore (51);
wherein the head (3, 3', 3") of the anchoring element is guided by the guiding member
(4, 4', 4", 400) and wherein a form-fit connection limits the movement of the anchoring
element to the single plane;
a locking device (10) comprising a first locking element (8) that acts on the guiding
member (4, 4', 4", 400) to fix the rotational position of the guiding member and a
second locking element (9) that acts on the head to fix the head (3, 3 ").
2. The bone anchoring device of claim 1, wherein the receiving part (5, 5') comprises
a U-shaped recess (53) for inserting the rod (7) by means of which two open legs are
formed and wherein an internal thread (54) is provided at the open legs.
3. The bone anchoring device of claim 2, wherein the first locking element (8) comprises
an outer thread cooperating with the internal thread (54) on said legs and further
compress a coaxial threaded bore (51) and wherein the second locking element (9) has
a portion cooperating with the threaded bore.
4. The bone anchoring device of one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a pressure element
(6) having a recess (61) shaped to support the rod and configured to be arranged between
the guiding member and the locking device.
5. The bone anchoring device of claim 4, wherein the pressure element (6) is configured
to exert pressure onto the guiding member (4', 4", 400) but not on the head (3).
6. The bone anchoring device of claims 4 or 5, wherein the pressure element (6) is substantially
cylindrical and has a first end (6a) facing the locking device (10) and a second end
(6b) facing the head (3) and wherein a recess (63) for the head (3', 3 ") is provided
at the second end (6b) that is sized so that a portion of the head (3, 3', 3") is
accommodated therein without contacting the pressure element.
7. The bone anchoring device of one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the pressure element (6)
has a recess (64) at its first end (6a) and wherein the second locking element (9)
can extend into the recess (64) without contacting the pressure member.
8. The bone anchoring device of one of claims 1 to 7, wherein an edge (5b) bounding the
second bore (52) is asymmetric to permit the bone anchoring element (8) to pivot at
a larger angle at a first location of the edge than at another location of the edge
relative to the longitudinal axis.
9. The bone anchoring device of claim 8, wherein the receiving part has a countersunk
area (56) at the edge (5b) bounding the second bore (52).
10. The bone anchoring device of claim 8, wherein a seat member (140) is provided that
has a seat (143( for the head and that can be assembled and mounted to the receiving
part (5) to define an edge (140b) bounding the second bore (52) that is asymmetric
to permit the bone anchoring element to pivot at a larger angle at a first location
of the edge than at another location of the edge relative to the longitudinal axis.
11. The bone anchoring device of claim 10, wherein the seat member (140) is configured
to rotate in the second bore before locking.
12. The bone anchoring device of claim 10 or 11, wherein the seat 143) for the head in
the seat member is spherical.
13. The bone anchoring device of one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the seat member (140)
has a recess (144) at its edge (140b) for a form-fit connection to the head.
14. The bone anchoring device of one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the head (3, 3', 3")is
substantially spherical segment-shaped with the rotational axis of the sphere extending
perpendicular to the shank axis.